Shocking! Lurid! Tawdry! A History of American Scandals

That Time Daniel Sickles Invented the Temporary Insanity Defense


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Everything has to start somewhere, right? And it was Dan Sickles who first claimed temporary insanity as a defense for murder.  

Of course, he was Congressman at the time he shot and killed his wife's lover, Philip Barton Key II, in broad daylight in Manhattan's Lafayette Square. And of course he was celebrated as a hero for "saving" women from such a rogue. 

But that's hardly the only scandal that attached itself to Sickles' name. Tune in as Kasey walks us through his messy career, from public murder (and acquittal!) to the Battle of Gettysburg to burial in Arlington cemetery.  

Watch every episode on YouTube! https://www.youtube.com/shockingluridtawdry

Logo: Jessica Balaschak  

Music: Caveman of Los Angeles by Party Store Music

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Shocking! Lurid! Tawdry! A History of American ScandalsBy Kasey Howe & Mark Peikert

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